Rice market in Greece

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Greek rice market volume grew from 130.1 thousand tons to 182.8 thousand tons. This increase was largely due to a sharp rise in domestic production, which reached 287.4 thousand tons in 2020. The growth was supported by significant investments in production capacity, including new T3 facilities in Agrinio, Kastoria, and Sindos, which came online during this period. At the same time, the rapid expansion of e-commerce for food products improved consumer access to a wider variety of rice.

From 2021 onward, the market entered a period of contraction, declining to 112.6 thousand tons by 2023. This downturn coincided with global supply chain disruptions for rice, driven by high temperatures in Asia and increased import demand, which contributed to an estimated 25% drop in Greek production over the 2022-23 period. New EU labeling and packaging requirements under Directive 2022/2464 also introduced additional operational changes. Despite continued government subsidy schemes for growers and rising consumer interest in organic rice varieties, the overall market volume was constrained by limited supply and international price pressures.

Production rice in Greece

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of rice, 2017-2020

Greece's rice production rebounded after two years of decline. In 2019, output hit its lowest point at 220.9 thousand tonnes, but then surged by 30.1% in 2020 to reach 287.4 thousand tonnes. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 12.5%, averaging 4.0% annually. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, when production fell by 12.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Greece in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Greece's rice production value increased for the second year in a row. In 2018, it reached its minimum at 115.4 million US dollars, with a slight decline of 1.0% that year. By 2020, the value had jumped 27.0% to 147.2 million US dollars. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 26.4%, equivalent to an annual growth rate of 8.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Greece in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports rice from Greece

Exports in kind, K t

Greece's rice export volume recovered after a two-year decline. In 2019, exports were at their lowest level of 117.2 thousand tonnes, but then increased by 16.7% in 2020 to 136.8 thousand tonnes. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 21.5%, with an average annual decline of 7.7%. The sharpest drop was in 2018, when exports fell by 29.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Greece in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Bulgaria, and Poland were the primary markets for Greece's rice exports in volume terms. Turkey accounted for 43.2% of exports, Bulgaria for 11.8%, and Poland for 6.1%. Together, these three countries represented 61.1% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Greece in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Greece's rice export value increased after two years of losses. In 2019, it reached its minimum at 61.484 million US dollars, but then rose by 13.9% in 2020 to 70.060 million US dollars. Between 2017 and 2020, export value decreased by 11.8%, averaging a 4.1% annual decline. The largest drop occurred in 2018, with a 20.4% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Greece in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Bulgaria, and Poland consistently remained the top destinations for Greece's rice exports in value terms. Turkey held a 40.8% share, Bulgaria 9.4%, and Poland 6.5%. Collectively, these markets accounted for 56.7% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Greece in value, 2017-2020

Imports rice to Greece

Imports in kind, K t

Greece's rice import volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2018, imports were at their lowest point of 29.5 thousand tonnes, with a minor decline of 0.1% that year. By 2020, imports had grown by 5.0% to 32.2 thousand tonnes compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 9.1%, averaging 2.9% annually.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Greece in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Greece's rice imports in volume terms were distributed across numerous markets. The top three sources—Myanmar with 18.4%, Italy with 18.2%, and Pakistan with 13.3%—together accounted for only 49.9% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Greece in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Greece's rice import value increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 25.512 million US dollars, up 12.1% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import value grew by 39.7%, equivalent to an average annual increase of 11.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Greece in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During 2017-2020, Greece's rice imports in value terms came from many different markets. Even the largest suppliers—Italy, Pakistan, and Belgium—collectively represented only 47.6% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Greece in value, 2017-2020